John Hopwood is a Partner in the firm’s New York office. John is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey. He is also a member of the New York County Lawyers’ Association.
John has represented clients in numerous fields of litigation, ranging from construction, commercial, malpractice, products and all areas of general liability. His practice focuses on all aspects of construction litigation, including the defense of design/defect claims and defense of allegations brought under New York Labor Law. John has represented international corporations, domestic companies, developers, general contractors, mechanical contractors, construction managers, design professionals, doctors, attorneys and other businesses in all aspects of defense litigation. He has represented corporations and individuals in contract disputes and numerous transactional matters.
John has been successful in defending cases at every level of New York courts, as well as the federal courts in the Southern and Eastern District of New York. His experience includes litigation, trials, alternative dispute resolution and appellate. His practice focuses primarily in the five boroughs of New York City and its surrounding counties. He has successfully tried cases to verdict in those jurisdictions, as well as throughout New York State, and he has argued appeals in the First and Second Department Appellate Divisions.
John regularly lectures on mediation and ADR practices throughout New York. He has been a presenter and panelist on these topics to both the New York State Bar Association and the New York State Judicial. For the New York State Judicial Institute, John lectured on ADR and mediation programs to New York Supreme Court Judges from around the State of New York. In addition, John has lectured to newly inducted Supreme Court Judges on court-initiated mediation and ADR programs.
Prior to joining GRSM, John was a senior partner at a regional defense litigation firm where he worked for nearly 20 years. He served as the New York office managing partner. Previously, John worked at a national law firm where his practice focused on insurance coverage litigation and legal malpractice. In addition, he obtained valuable experience in construction while working for a family mechanical contracting company on job sites throughout the Tri-State area.
John was born and raised in Garden City, New York and now resides in Manhattan with his family. He is active in several charities, most notably NextStep. John graduated from Georgetown University in 1999, with a degree in Finance. He also attended Trinity College at Oxford University, where he studied International Business and Business Policy. Later, he attended St. John’s University School of Law, graduating in 2002. During law school, he competed on the St. John’s School of Law Moot Court Competition Team.
Admissions
Memberships
- New York State Bar Association
- New York County Lawyers’ Bar Association
Community Involvement